Man Arrested Over Suspicious Packages Sent To Consulates In Australia

The Australian Federal Police and the Victoria Police announced the 49-year-old man's arrest in a joint statement Thursday.

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Authorities arrested a man who they believe sent packages containing suspicious substances to several embassies and consulates in Australia.

The Australian Federal Police and the Victoria Police announced the 49-year-old man's arrest in a joint statement Thursday.

He has been charged with sending dangerous articles to be carried by a postal service, and he was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.

The packages were sent to a number of consulates in Melbourne and Canberra, including the diplomatic offices of the U.S., Sweden, Pakistan, India and South Korea, among many others. At least one of the buildings was reportedly evacuated and later cleared for re-entry.

A worker from the New Zealand consulate told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. the suspicious packages were envelopes labeled "asbestos" that contained small plastic bags that appeared to be filled with concrete and asbestos.